Felony suspect arrested and stolen vehicle recovered

Bonifay Police Department

By Staff Report

Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 09:08 AM.

BONIFAY — Bonifay Police Department reported the arrest of Christopher Cruz Walley, 25, of Cottondale on Feb. 8 on warrants from Washington County for a recent violent assault and kidnapping of a woman on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 6.

According to the report due to an anonymous tip the Bonifay Police Department arrested at Walley at 7:20 p.m. without incident.

Officers also located the stolen vehicle that Walley was believed to have been driving since the victim was able to escape and the manhunt began, according to the report.

According to the report, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in reference to a possible kidnapping and assault at 12:56 p.m. on Feb. 6.

Officers arrived at a residence on Eloise Road and found the victim, who’s name is being withheld at this time, severely beaten and Washington County EMS responded and transported the victim to the Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley.

According to the report the victim is listed in critical condition at this time.

Following interviews with the victim, investigators were able to piece together a timeline and identify the suspect as Walley.

BONIFAY — Bonifay Police Department reported the arrest of Christopher Cruz Walley, 25, of Cottondale on Feb. 8 on warrants from Washington County for a recent violent assault and kidnapping of a woman on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 6.

According to the report due to an anonymous tip the Bonifay Police Department arrested at Walley at 7:20 p.m. without incident.

Officers also located the stolen vehicle that Walley was believed to have been driving since the victim was able to escape and the manhunt began, according to the report.

According to the report, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in reference to a possible kidnapping and assault at 12:56 p.m. on Feb. 6.

Officers arrived at a residence on Eloise Road and found the victim, who’s name is being withheld at this time, severely beaten and Washington County EMS responded and transported the victim to the Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley.

According to the report the victim is listed in critical condition at this time.

Following interviews with the victim, investigators were able to piece together a timeline and identify the suspect as Walley.

The victim had been in a vehicle with Walley the previous day, Wednesday, Feb. 5, when without warning, Walley stopped the vehicle and proceeded to attack the victim by physically assaulting her with his hands and Walley then struck the victim numerous times with an expandable police baton, known as an asp, until the victim lost consciousness, according to the report.

The victim regained consciousness and found she had been moved to the trunk of the vehicle and Walley continued to travel throughout the evening and into the next day, Thursday, Feb. 6, making several stops with the victim still tramped in the trunk, according to the report.

Walley came to a stop on Eloise Road and the victim was able to escape to a nearby residence where a neighbor reported the incident to law enforcement.

Walley was transported to the Holmes County Jail for booking and to await first appearance.

Washington County Investigators were contacted to process the stolen vehicle.